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our final entry for our OLD KUCHING: CARPENTER STREET series, it might seem
strange that we’re ending with something that doesn’t sound very Kuching at
all. If you’re thinking like the many of us that a shop named Aladin would
serve something Middle Eastern or at least gimmicky Disney products, then you’d
be like the many of us that got it wrong. If just by their name, you guessed
that they sell Chicken Rice, you’d be one of the few whom I’d also ask for advice
on lottery tickets.
Yes
I agree that it is a strange name, but just like its name – this shop embodies
the fact that good things come in strange packages. In this case, really good
things. Though tattooed up tough guys carrying knives may be intimidating at
first, especially if you’re a specky skinny 20 something like I am, put that
fear aside. Do that and proceed to request for some food and watch this
charming family-run business cut up what they’ve been cutting up best for
thirty something years. Chicken.
For
a while now, Aladin has been touted as serving the best Chicken Rice in Kuching
but it may be unfair to say so and compare, as Aladin does not serve
traditional Chicken Rice. As the guys over at Aladin call it, it is as original
Aladin as Chicken Rice gets. One might wonder how different Chicken Rice can be
from place to place as it is just put plainly, chicken and rice. You may be
right, but when any food is served with love and care, it becomes more
than just the sum of its parts.
When
ordering any portion of Chicken Rice, what you will have that comes with it, is
a helping of some Chilli Sauce and their signature Black Sweet Sauce. The
Chilli Sauce is a perfect addition on top of something mild like their Steamed
Chicken. It is because the strong flavours of Cilipadi and vinegar from the Chilli Sauce
adds to flavours not present in the Steamed Chicken, as opposed to clashing with them. You may of
course spray this on whatever you please, but that’s a personal choice.
The
Black Sweet Sauce obviously has some heat judging from the Chilli seeds that
can be seen, while the slight sticky consistency is most probably due to the presence of sugar. This is perfect for either the Roasted Chicken or the
Fried Chicken, as the sweetness does well to lift the flavours of the already
strong flavoured proteins.
As
for the rice that also comes with every portion, it is pleasant while being cooked
well in a manner that is similar to that of the Hainans with mild flavours of
garlic, sesame oil and chicken stock. Though pretty basic, it accompanies the
juicy chicken (which is all moist and juicy I might add) that it comes present
with very well.
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| Steamed Chicken RM11.50 for this portion of chicken with one bowl of rice |
We’ll
start with personally my favourite version of the chicken that they cook, which
is the Steamed Chicken.
Rarely do people get Steamed Chicken right like it is
done here, whereby the chicken is drizzled with a sauce that makes the already
soft chicken even softer than it already tastes, while still being firm and juicy.
The sauce that covers it has a flavour likened to Chinese Rice Wine and Sesame
Oil that is quite common with Drunken Chicken.
What
it tastes like is a mixture of sweetness that you get from wine, while having
savoury nutty flavours of sesame oil. Added with the flavours of chicken that’s
cooked well, results in a stark contrast to the usual tasteless Steamed Chicken
that is usually in the market.
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| Roasted Chicken Rice RM5 per plate |
The
Roasted Chicken does not hold back either. The meat within is juicy as usual,
while the skin is where this choice shines.
It is not very common to have
Roasted Chicken which has skin as crisp and light as this, with the seasoning
of five spice and sweetness carrying the delectable tasting chicken.
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| Fried Chicken Rice RM7 per plate |
Last
but not least, let us talk about the chicken of choice for most of y’all. The
Fried Chicken. I will not lie. I can absolutely see why this always sells out
within the first 2 hours, as not only is it juicy but just like the skin of the
Roasted Chicken, it is delicious. Delicious in its simplicity, the skin is
light but crunchy, with strong flavours of ginger. That chicken, when topped
with the Black Sweet Sauce makes for a sandwich of textures.
What
I mean by sandwich of textures, is the sticky layer of Black Sweet Sauce
covering the light crunchy gingery skin that wraps around the juicy succulent
meat of the chicken. Now, for my followers overseas who are reading this in the
late of night, I hope you’re feeling hungry.
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| #Adorbs |
Aladin
has earned a strong following over the course of time that it has been open,
garnering support from young and old customers for good reason. I could list a
few starting from their bright smiles, colourful tattoos, charming old layout
all the way down to how good the food they serve is.
They
open daily from 10am – 2pm and 6pm – 9pm. You’ll need to come early to grab
yourself a table big enough for your family, and if you have to wait – It will
be worth it.
If you liked this post, please like, share and comment. Much love!
Urban Palate posts every Tuesdays around 7pm - 8pm Malaysian time.
If you liked this post, please like, share and comment. Much love!
Urban Palate posts every Tuesdays around 7pm - 8pm Malaysian time.
